In between college football on Saturday we caught NBA TV’s “Real Training Camp” with the Celtics. During the week we noticed the “We can win this thing” swagger surrounding the Hornets during their episode, but the C’s had that definite “We DID win this thing” swag. Paul Pierce, who lost about seven pounds over the summer, was looking like he increased his vertical as well. He got up for some dunks, and during the five-on-five scrimmage he chased down Eddie House from behind and swatted his shot against the glass (which the ref whistled for goaltending). Kevin Garnett was in his usual dark place, cussing at everyone and everything from himself to his water bottle … Kendrick Perkins (shoulder) didn’t practice but looked ripped; Danny Ainge said he might be the most in-shape player in camp. Then again, Ainge also said Brian Scalabrine “can be a very good complementary player,” and said Boston’s defense played its best when Scal was on the court, so there’s a solid chance he’d been drinking …Darius Miles looked old and pudgy. If you glanced at the screen real quick and saw him in his green #7, you’d think he was Al Jefferson. The five-on-five pitted first team versus second team, with Patrick O’Bryant taking Perk’s spot and engaging in a less-than-epic battle with Big Baby. The 7-foot O’Bryant hit a couple shots over 6-9 Big Baby, but Baby also got him with a block and some tough D … The NBA preseason tips off today, with Heat/Pistons and Warriors/Hornets on the schedule. And Detroit will officially go into this year with a new look, as coach Michael Curry just named Amir Johnson the starting power forward, with Antonio McDyess and Jason Maxiell backing him up. We’ll have to wait and see if Amir actually produces or if he ends up being like Royal Ivey in Atlanta a couple years ago, a “starter” who gets taken out in the first quarter and you never see him again … Don’t count out the Jamaal Tinsley-to-Denver deal just yet. After killing the initial reports of the trade on Friday, the Indianapolis Star cited a source who said it’s a “strong possibility” that the trade could happen in the next few days. As far as we know it’s still Chucky Atkins and Steven Hunter in the deal. Whether they get Tinsley or not, Denver’s biggest concern going into this year is replacing Marcus Camby‘s defense and rebounding. Of course, no one said they had to trade him, but that’s beside the point. Anyway, Camby has been sick and missing practice in L.A., but said he’s still bitter over the way the Nuggets shipped him out for basically nothing. Mark your calendar for the first Nuggets/Clippers game of the year, where Camby might put up a points-boards-blocks triple double … Since we’ve got to read between the lines in everything that’s going on with the Knicks, it raised lots of eyebrows when Donnie Walsh was asked about the team’s point guard situation and didn’t mention Stephon Marbury, instead talking about Chris Duhon, Nate Robinson and Mardy Collins. Then when someone asked about Steph specifically, Walsh said he sees Steph maybe playing three positions. We know Mike D’Antoni can do small-ball, but 6-foot-2 Steph playing the three? Not feeling that. But Steph did say he’s always been a good teammate, so he shouldn’t have a problem mixing it up … Speaking of, you don’t have to read too hard between the lines of this quote from Rudy Gay: “Whereas Pau (Gasol) is a guy who would rather play out on the perimeter, Marc (Gasol) doesn’t mind banging with guys. He’s doesn’t mind confrontation down there. That’s kind of refreshing. He wants to be his own player, and he’s working toward that. He’s definitely asserting himself.” … Keeping with the training camp theme of big expectations, here’s Jameer Nelson: “I’m trying to become an All-Star and an Olympian,” Nelson told the Orlando Sentinel. “But I’m trying to win a championship first and foremost.” We like the confidence and everyone needs to set goals — we just see the championship happening for Jameer way before an All-Star nod or a Team USA spot. And that first part will only happen on the back of Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis, if Rashard lives up to his price tag … Amare Stoudemire is gonna have to wear goggles while he recovers from the eye-poke doled out by Boris Diaw a few days ago, prompting Shaq to call him “Kareem Abdul-Amare.” If Amare makes it to Opening Night still wearing them, what are the chances he starts a trend? We’ve seen the headband make a comeback; everyone was rocking a rubber band around their wrist for a while; then the “compression” tights came and went; it’s about time for for an ’80s-style goggles resurgence. Get Amare and another star like LeBron to do it, and it’ll be big … We’re out like Jameer’s gold medal …

i wish the season would start already so we can see what happens to marbury and the knicks under dantoni and what happens with the bulls and …actually, every team. the season should just start.

thats kind of bad to hear miles looks out of shape. what was he doing in the games though? anything?

10.05.08 at 4:42 am

Three Stacks

Maybe Walsh wants to play 3 guards at a time, like Villanova did a few years back with Foye, Ray, and Lowry. Steph at the 3 would still get more boards than Eddy Curry.

I get the feeling Rudy’s gonna flush one on Pau’s grill sometime during the season.

@ Job, how the hell is Steph a martyr? Did he sacrifice his game for the right to throw truck parties?

10.05.08 at 5:07 am

JOB33

@Stacks
Honestly, that’s all I had. He’s more likely to have those 3 positions than 3 on the court. So yeah, sadly I couldn’t come up with anything better. But I’m sure some of his fans would argue the point, because of the way he’s been portrayed in the media and with the Knicks. My personal opinion, I like his 1-on-1 game, but he’s a team cancer. Dude’s got issues he needs to resolve if he wants to get back on top.

10.05.08 at 5:33 am

Coop

Sorry am I the only one who just read that AMIR JOHNSON will be STARTING?

I knw Sheed needs a kick up the ass but that’s a touch extreme. Just trade him already.

10.05.08 at 6:35 am

Don Mega

Europe hates Stephon Marbury

10.05.08 at 7:13 am

loganlight

YES! I have the goggles. I got called Rambis all through high school because of it too… I can’t wait for those jokers to come back!

LL

10.05.08 at 7:39 am

Nate

@ Coop
Amir won’t be replacing Sheed, he’ll be taking McDyess’ spot.

10.05.08 at 7:41 am

Young Lebron 23

I got some goggles from science class. I’ll start wearing those for practice for high school.

10.05.08 at 8:47 am

Ray

I love that Amir Johnson is going to be taking the starring power forward role for the Pitsons this season. Him and Tayshaun Prince will become one of the best shut down tandem of the league.

10.05.08 at 8:50 am

Dave

I’m looking forward to seeing what Amir Johnson can do with another season under his belt and some consistent minutes.

10.05.08 at 9:05 am

Dagomar

Coop, Sheed will be at the 5.

Putting Marbury at the three is a great way to drive the final nail in his coffin. Can you imagine how badly Bron would rape his little 6’2″ frame on both ends of the court? Ouch.

And the goggles thing would be amazing. Kobe in goggles would rule.

10.05.08 at 9:11 am

josh tha roc

i think Coop meant Sheed having to start with Amir

10.05.08 at 9:25 am

miamiVIS3

@ Dime
That Danny Ainge drinkinking thing had me going crazy good stuff. And if Darius Miles is looking like Al Jefferson there’s a problem.

Also you can’t really take what Rudy Gay said as a shot at Pau he’s simply stating facts.

And I’ll be in the house for the Heats preseason game so I’ll let you guys know how Amir johnson holds up against B-Easy (hopefully not very well.)

10.05.08 at 10:58 am

yallallreadyknow

today is about football.
yall need to ante up and order direct-tv
later for the nba.
we dont care about preseason BS from the nba

how about you dime guys comment on the upcoming vote for rule changes?

fuck jameer nelson, those predictions were worse than beasley’s predictions

10.05.08 at 1:47 pm

jimmhumm

@job funny joke. The “New look” pistons is an overstatement. ITs the same team again with only a few non impact free agents yawn! D-Miles used to be the man back when the franchise was Houston now they both are past their expiration dates.

10.05.08 at 1:57 pm

Dagomar

Tim, starting for who? The Timberwolves?

10.05.08 at 2:38 pm

Bruce

hey quest what jameer made an example out of u in high school or college. cause u are a fucking hater.. get ya life rite I hear ya mom calling u for dinner

10.05.08 at 2:42 pm

94by50

So winning a title didn’t take the edge off of KG? Uh-oh.

10.05.08 at 3:17 pm

Tim

Ok, Maybe I’m reaching a little bit, but Stuckey and Maxiell could start on a lot of teams, along with McDyess…

10.05.08 at 3:31 pm

miamiVIS3

@ Tim
Yeah Matrix is the Small Forward although the plan is to eventually move Beasley to Small forward

10.05.08 at 5:24 pm

rodnets

Im with Tim, Herrmann is the Fabiesque Scottie Pippen

10.05.08 at 6:24 pm

Tim

rodnets,

hermann is pretty great when he plays…he does these sweeping one handed finger rolls that are amazing… Dude can palm a ball with only index finger and thumb…

If he gets any PT he can change things up a bit..

Getting ready to listen to Pistons/Heat online since its not on tv or anything.

Anybody can remember when PHO used three PG’s at teh same time? JKidd… Kevin Johnson… and Steve Nash…

10.06.08 at 7:01 am

Lady S

He plays good, He was said to appeared on the tall club of Tom’s friend __tallloving.com___, just for the tall singles and hot beauties and models to hook up.
Many bsktball players are on that site, too. You can find their skillful videos on it.

10.06.08 at 11:20 am

loot

“Walsh said he sees Steph maybe playing three positions.”

bench, inactive list and on the next ride out of town

10.06.08 at 11:20 am

loot

“Walsh said he sees Steph maybe playing three positions.”

bench, inactive list and on the next ride out of town

11.03.08 at 10:23 pm

Rich

PAUL PIERCE TRADED FOR JAMAAL TINSLEY!!!!!!!

02.10.09 at 9:27 am

Dayo

lol!!!! Here it’s mentioned that jameer nelson will first win a championship before being named to the all star team- Wrong!!! He did get to be named to the all star team (well before his freak accident/injury). Maybe the author of the piece should get some prediction lessons from Rasheed (or Guaransheed) Wallace!